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Now in their second month of the regular season of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), the Red Wings are coming closer together as a team. From training camp to the pre-season and then to handling seven road games to start the season, rookie players detailed how all these experiences have come to strengthen the Wings.
"There is a lot of potential to this year's team; we have more grit than last year and can make that push into the playoffs," said centre Coltyn Sanderson.
"We are all family," added right-wing Jesse Ross. "We play for each other, and have grown closer as a team and friends."
At the start of the Red Wing year, these rookies worked hard to earn their spot in the Wings. With roughly 80 athletes competing during training camp, it was tough competition even for returning players.
"The Red Wings is a tough team to make, because it is one of the best in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League," said Sanderson. "I had played a couple games last year for the Wings, and I had been told I had a good chance to make it through training camp. They said I had a good attitude and worked hard, which paid off."
"The Red Wings are a good organization, who had treated me well before I had even joined the team. They talked to me two years ago and told me that if I kept working hard that I would have a spot on the team," said Ross. "The Red Wings have an amazing record in the past few years, and it was one of the reasons why I wanted to be a member of the team."
"Ron Rumball called me up and thought that I would be a good asset to the team," said centre Justin Daleboziak. "Right off the bat, when I first arrived in the Red Wings dressing room, I was in the room with a couple of veterans and they seemed to be good guys."
After claiming a spot on the roster, the Red Wings were still put through the paces during the pre-season. "We were able to get to know the veterans better, and get a better feel for what the team is all about," said Ross.
"Everyone had a good work ethic and a positive attitude; we were already concentrating on one consistent goal and that was winning," added Sanderson. "Playing along with the veterans during the pre-season really helps you adjust to the faster game, and dealing with more hitting."
With construction at Crescent Point Place and the Tom Zandee Sports Arena, the Red Wings started their season with seven road games. "Three games in a row was a test at the start of the season, because it was a test for the team and we could have done a little better than we did," said Daleboziak. "We are getting to know each other and the lines are coming together pretty well, everyone knows their role and plays it well. I think we have good potential for the season."
The game results from the Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 home games for the Red Wings were unavailable for publication, due to an early deadline because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Of the 12 games that the Red Wings play in October, they will play seven on home ice. Upcoming home games include one against Battleford on Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., hosting Melfort on Sunday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., and playing Humboldt on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Residents are reminded to use the north entrances to Crescent Point Place for all Red Wings home games. It is hoped that all renovations to the rink will be completed by November.
